I’m convinced there is no online tool more versatile or more useful for educators and learners than the wiki.  The range of possibilities is unlimited.  Almost everyone is familiar with Wikipedia, which describes itself as, “The biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the internet.”  The success of this  enormous collaborative resource speaks for itself.

I believe that learners everywhere should have access to Wikipedia and use it as a learning resource.  There are, however, countless situations where relatively small-scale and purpose-specific wikis can be used to great effect.  I’m writing today about one example that offers an invaluable resource for educators working at all levels.  It also illustrates what a well designed wiki can look like.

U Tech Tips Wiki:  A Wiki of Software for Educators by Educators.  Jeff Utecht set up this wiki only a couple of weeks ago, and the framework is just starting to be fleshed out with content.  This is a wiki  that clearly has the potential to become an extensive repository of well organized digital  educational resources.  Anyone may contribute to  the wiki, and it is extremely easy to do so.

Listings are organized according to operating system–Windows, Apple, and Linux.  There is a fourth major heading for web-based applications and Firefox Add-ons.  Some of the pages under each of the platform headings include:  Office Suites; Photo; Video; Screen Capture Software; Educational. Some of these categories may prove to be too big, but one beautiful thing about a wiki is that the structure can be adapted as needed. Click on the image below for a larger view of how the home page is laid out.

Jeff Utecht has recently become an “Educator Ambassador” for Wetpaint Wikis, and this wiki nicely demonstrates the unique features of the Wetpaint Wiki platform.  U Tech Tips Wiki is my first serious look at Wetpaint Wikis, and so far I’m favourably impressed.  I like the look, the organization, the feature-set, and the ease of editing.

If you use software to support education, I encourage you to consider contributing to U Tech Tips Wiki.  As James Hollis reminds us, “Sharing is Caring!”